A Little Holiday Cheer...and Laughs

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Happy Thanksgiving!

Being the wife of a truck driver, we often celebrate major holidays early or late. Most of the time it's later. My husband's schedule is *always* unpredictable. Holidays take on a new meaning when you're a trucker's wife. You end up celebrating when you are all together rather than on the "official" date.

This year is no different. Today, Thanksgiving has been just a regular day for my son and I. My husband arrives later tonight and we will have our Thanksgiving later this weekend. Christmas will be late too, but guess what? That's okay because I will get to hit the 75% off sales before we celebrate! Yay!

So I will say my Happy Thanksgivings to everyone, and while you are all off shopping for Christmas on Black Friday we'll be chowing down on turkey and stuffing, pies and cakes, and sleeping all day long. ;)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Being Happy

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Hope you have all enjoyed your time with your families. I love these articles from Daily OM... not only are they insightful, but most of the time, it's exactly how I feel! Enjoy this bit of wisdom!


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Finding Unqualified Happiness
If Only

Since most of our experiences are rooted in cause and effect, we naturally want to justify our contentment. We envision grand circumstances, stating that if only we could achieve this goal or obtain that possession, we would finally be in a position to attain happiness. As a result, satisfaction is always just out of reach and the very notion of grabbing hold of it seems like nothing more than a pipe dream. But the truth is that sincere contentment and fulfillment are never wholly the result of external events or situations. Though life’s joyful moments can ignite the spark of contentment within us, that spark is fueled by serenity long established in our souls. When we forget this, it is easy to become stuck in "if only" patterns of thought. If we concentrate on the natural serenity that exists within us, however, we can move forward unimpeded by disappointment.

The circumstances you live through each day have the potential to bring both joy and despair into your life. Relying on the reactions they awaken within you to create an emotional foundation means living on a roller coaster of feeling whose course is determined by chance. Though you may yearn for the object of your desire—be it a new job, financial health, a spouse, or some other symbol of success—you have within you the power to be happy without it. Letting go of your "if only" thinking patterns can be as easy as recognizing that inward emptiness cannot be dispelled with outer world solutions. Try creating a list of your “if only”s. Then literally and figuratively let go of the items on the list by tearing it up or burning it. This simple action can help set in motion the intention to set you free, enabling you to make a fresh and balanced start in the present, unencumbered by regrets and unfulfilled desires.

There will likely be periods in your life in which you find yourself tempted to seek a magic formula for fulfillment that is centered upon a single goal or achievement. But the ingredients that come together to form the seeds of happiness that can sustain your spirit throughout the triumphs and trials of existence come from within rather than from without. When your search for satisfaction is focused on your soul, you will never fail to find the joy you seek.

http://www.dailyom.com/articles/2009/21091.html

Wisdom of Self-Containment

I just love Daily OM, such inspiring and motivating articles, but also so many that can really help to create a more harmonious well being.

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You may feel righteous as you express your opinions with zeal. While your outspoken manner could attract like minded people, you may also notice others drifting away from you. Although sharing your opinions with others can stimulate lively discussions, you may also want to consider applying the wisdom of self-containment. If you focus more time on listening rather than speaking, you will gain a deeper understanding of the people around you. One way to do this is by challenging yourself to not share your opinion unless someone specifically asks for it. Although it may be difficult to hold back at the beginning, you will eventually realize the benefits of simply observing and listening to others.

By making an effort to listen more than we speak, we establish a deeper level of communication with others. Most of us connect more with the concept of verbalizing our thoughts, but the larger part of communication involves listening to others and hearing the messages they wish to share. As we learn to contain our need for attention or validation and simply focus on being receptive to others, we realize that our understanding of them deepens. At the same time, our willingness to listen without interrupting makes others feel closer to us, encouraging the perception that something meaningful was exchanged during our conversation. By holding back your comments and listening to others, you give yourself the opportunity to create more valuable interactions with others.

Daily OM

Trust in Relations

My husband and I were talking on the phone the other day and somehow we got on the discussion of trust. More importantly, what would break one's trust in one's spouse enough to break them up. As I thought about what my husband could do to break my trust I could not think of anything.

What about cheating?

I'm not worried about that at all.

Lying?

Nope, not worried.

Drinking? Drugs? Alcohol?

Again... nope.

I don't really want to brag, but I have such a great relationship with my husband that there is nothing that I need to worry about. It is such a blessing to have a close relationship that the relationship is actually effortless! We can even sit in silence and enjoy each others company.

I only wish that he wasn't a truck driver! lol

Hide and Seek

Can you find me?

I will give you to the count of 100!

Ready or not!

I find lame attempts to hide oneself pretty humorous. Especially when one is all over the internet, what is the purpose of trying to hide? Changing the spelling of one's name does not hide one's profile when one's profile can be found by one's email address. lol Using one's maiden name or previously married name also does not hide one from the public.

It is pretty comical.

As for me... I have nothing to hide. ;)

Owning Your Emotions

Another great article!

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Owning Your Emotions
Name It and Claim It

Our feelings can sometimes present a very challenging aspect of our lives. We experience intense emotions without understanding precisely why and consequently find it difficult to identify the solutions that will soothe our distressed minds and hearts. Yet it is only when we are capable of naming our feelings that we can tame them by finding an appropriate resolution. We retake control of our personal power by becoming courageous enough to articulate, out loud and concisely, the essence of our emotions. Our assuming ownership of the challenges before us in this way empowers us to shift from one emotional state to another—we can let go of pain and upset because we have defined it, examined the effect it had on our lives, and then exerted our authority over it by making it our own. By naming our feelings, we claim the right to divest ourselves of them at will.

As you prepare to acknowledge your feelings aloud, gently remind yourself that being specific is an important part of exercising control. Whatever the nature of your feelings, carefully define the reaction taking place within you. If you are afraid of a situation or intimidated by an individual, try not to mince words while giving voice to your anxiety. The precision with which you express yourself is indicative of your overall willingness to stare your feelings in the face without flinching. Naming and claiming cannot always work in the vacuum of the soul. There may be times in which you will find the release you desire only by admitting your feelings before others. When this is the case, your ability to outline your feelings explicitly can help you ask for the support, aid, or guidance you need without becoming mired in the feelings that led you to make such an admission in the first place.

When you have moved past the apprehension associated with expressing your distressing feelings out loud, you may be surprised to discover that you feel liberated and lightened. This is because the act of making a clear connection between your circumstances and your feelings unravels the mystery that previously kept you from being in complete control of your emotional state. To give voice to your feelings, you must necessarily let them go. In the process, you naturally relax and rediscover your emotional equilibrium.

http://www.dailyom.com/articles/2009/20963.html

Homemade is Best

I love those hearty home cooked meals. There is just something about them that really warm you up. Maybe it is knowing that it has been carefully made with loving hands. When I was little, my grandmother used to prepare these HUGE meals for us when we visited. There was always some thing like Hackbraten or pot roast, lots and lots of potatoes, veggies, breads, rolls, and of coarse she made awesome deserts! We're talking triple layer German Chocolate cake! Mmmm!

Today I baked a bread and made some homemade potato cheese soup for me and my son, but while cooking, I remembered how wonderful my grandmother's house smelled and what a great time we always had. But mostly just how full we were after eating that we spent the rest of the day talking on the porch swing.

Mmmm, my bread is almost finished! ;)

Is it meant to be??

My life has always been full of challenges and none of them easy. I don't think there has ever been a time in my life that was "easy going". Sometimes people would tell me that what I was trying to do is "not meant to be" because it was hard and there were many obstacles. That frustrated me to no end. I like to think that it's an obstacle that I have to overcome in order to grow. So in my email came this article, and I wanted to share with everyone, especially those who always told me not to follow my dreams because "it wasn't meant to be."

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Not Always Easy
Meant To Be

Some of our goals and dreams come to fruition so easily that it is as if an unseen hand has done much of the work for us. When this happens, we say it must have been meant to be. On the other hand, when dreams and goals require a tremendous amount of effort, we may interpret this to mean that our dream is not meant to be. However, difficulty is not necessarily a sign that our hopes and plans are ill-fated. On the contrary, difficulties and challenges along the path can be important parts of the project’s overall meaning.

When everything goes smoothly, we feel blessed by the universe, as if a fleet of angels is guiding and supporting our every move. When things are rough or ambiguous, we sometimes feel that we have been abandoned. And yet, the truth is that we are blessed in both cases. Our angels and guides are always present. They may choose at times to back off and let us figure something out for ourselves, and this is when things seem difficult. But when things are difficult, we learn and grow in specific ways. There is a unique satisfaction that comes to us when we succeed at something that has been a challenge. Our sense of self-reliance expands, and our ability to endure and keep the faith is stronger for having been tested. We learn that we are capable of confronting and overcoming the obstacles in our path, and this empowers us to dream still bigger dreams, knowing that we will not be daunted by the challenges inherent in birthing them.

When we find ourselves facing difficulties with a particular plan or project, the chances are we know already whether we are meant to continue on or let it go. We simply need to look within ourselves for the answer. When an idea is meant to be, it comes back to us time and time again. Then we know we can go forward, no matter what challenges arise, knowing that it is meant to be.

http://www.dailyom.com/articles/2009/20875.html

The North Idaho Process of Home Ownership

Most people look for a new house, get approved, move in, and live happily ever after. Not in North Idaho. There are several steps to getting a home in North Idaho just like in any other place, but not exactly what you might think.

Step one: Acquire land. However you do this is up to you.

Step two: Set up tent. When the land and the tent are paid off, then proceed with step 3.

Step three: Bring in the trailer. While paying off the trailer, start digging a large hole for your basement. You might start to feel excited getting the trailer paid off.

Step four: Line hole with cement.

Step five: Throw plywood over the top of hole and move in while spending the rest of your life trying to build your house.

My Beautiful Home

I see lots of neighbors and friends with very lovely homes. They are wonderfully styled and warm cozy furniture. When I come home, I see the old ugly house we live in and I start to feel down because I haven't been able to get a nice stylish home. After reading this article from Daily OM, I feel so much better about my house. It might be old, it needs a lot of repair, but it has character and I feel at peace in my house - even with it's quirkiness. Since this article helped me feel better about it, I thought I would share.

Have a great week and Happy Veteran's Day!

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A Living Dwelling
Creating a Beautiful Home

The homes we occupy are seldom ideal. A space that satisfies our basic needs may nonetheless leave us wanting where location, décor, or style are concerned. Yet every home has the potential to be beautiful. When we fill our homes with love, we transcend worldly factors such as market value and design. Our conscious, loving intentions can literally transform the spaces in which we live, dispelling any lingering unharmonious energy and replacing it with an ethereal beauty that is felt rather than seen. Our homes become spiritual dwellings that feel soulful and alive. Regardless of their outward appearances, they radiate love, making all who enter, including ourselves, feel instantly welcome.

Turning a space into the beautiful outward expression of your inner warmth is as easy as projecting love into it. When your intentions are sincere, you can infuse the walls of your home with your energy, your emotional sensitivity, and your generosity of spirit, turning it into a haven of affection, joy, laughter, and togetherness. It is up to you, whether you want your personal spaces to be peaceful and quiet or lively and inspiring. Begin by cultivating awareness within yourself. This will allow you to see your home as an integral part of your existence rather than somewhere you simply return to at the end of each day. Consider how you relate to each element of your space, and remind yourself that every room in your home can serve a purpose in your life and the lives of your loved ones. Finally, lovingly thank each room for providing for your needs. As you become more mindful of the manner in which your home contributes to your well-being, you will discover that, more and more, you want to love and be loved by it.

Appearance and other superficial qualities can be deceiving. An aesthetically beautiful home can prove unwelcoming. And a home that seems mundane in every characteristic can be as comforting and cozy as a beloved relative or friend. When you nurture and care for your home as if it were a loved one, it will absorb your tender intentions and project a love so touching you will soon come to feel a great affection for it.

http://www.dailyom.com/articles/2009/20873.html

Blog Block

This morning I felt like blogging and quite a few ideas came to mind, but when I sat down to blog, everything went blank. I couldn't think of anything! Ugh! It is terribly frustrating.

Well since I have a blog block, I think I might just write a to do list and maybe it will help jog my blog. LOL

1. Order alternator for car - Car is about to die and I have no money, so how is this going to happen??

2. Write outline for novel - Hubby and I are planning on writing a collaborative novel.

3. Clean kitchen - Need I say more.

4. Bake cookies - So I can clean my kitchen again.

5. Paint wall - I started a little home improvement project in September and paused while we had company.

6. Give Poppy a bath - I doubt this will happen since she is wiggly, I will be the one getting the bath.

7. Pay insurance - Didn't I just do that?

8. Clean computer - Cookie crumbs every where clogging up the system.

9. Call family - I'm on the phone as I type. :D

10. Start laundry - Again??

Okay, so my list isn't as long as I thought it would be. I think I might just forget about blogging for a few days and enjoy the weekend. :D

Wizard School

Dustin was just accepted into Wizard School...

He had fun trick or treating this year. I think he makes a pretty good little wizard! :D

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